Can We Set Sail? Weather Conditions and Safe Boating Guidelines

Our plans were to start preparations at the beginning of May and launch our boat, which was wintering ashore at Marmaris Albatros Marina, between the tenth and fifteenth of the month. 

All needs had been determined, price research and planning had been done when the pandemic broke out in our country.

It affected us immediately.

After the boat was launched, we would first proceed to Bodrum, participate in the final leg of the BAYK Winter Trophy, and gradually head north starting from Sandal Island Cove.

We had previously done aerial shots between Antalya-Didim for www.coastguidetr.com. 

This summer, we were going to shoot the places in the Aegean that we couldn't reach from land, working from the sea, and head up to Çanakkale.

THE PLAN AT HOME DIDN'T FIT THE SEA

We spoke with the relevant authorities in Marmaris and the marina managers. 

Things are not as they appear from a distance. 

The crisis has also affected the sea and threatens the sector with uncertainty.

Under these conditions, if we go out to sea, what we will experience, especially on long passages, is unclear.

Maritime transport permits vary by region.

What will the provisioning possibilities be? 

RESTAURANTS WITH DOCKS ARE ANXIOUS

In Göcek Bay and other bays, the Gendarmerie is conducting warnings and inspections at cove restaurants. 

“Restaurants can only provide takeaway service.” they say. 

Marina restaurant owners are hesitant. It's unclear who will bring what. 

They are justifiably anxious. They don't want to accept boats.

AREN'T WE ALREADY IN QUARANTINE?

Aren't we sailors already in natural quarantine compared to those living on land?

Confined spaces, our boats, are already places we choose with passion.

Planning our provisions, our needs, procurement, organization - no one is more experienced than us.

Producing calm solutions to technical problems and adversities, managing to be self-sufficient...

Taking position according to nature's command, adapting to it, not unnecessarily rebelling and getting beaten by it. 

Being able to deal with unforeseen situations and being able to accept this risk.

But will we be able to live in this beautiful realm we've discovered? 

Our walks on the cove trails, our fishing, our free diving in the depths...

Speaking of fish, how they've spawned, how they've multiplied once we humans disappeared.

Those fish shouldn't be too confident. When the ban is lifted, we'll give them what they deserve and wipe them out along with their nests.

What have we given up, what sacrifices have we made for this love of the sea.

But we don't want these experiences to resemble a tunnel, one without a clear end.

Our wish is to see the light as soon as possible.

In these uncertain days, we are trying to address topics of uncertainty in our pages one by one.

So what will happen to us who live at sea continuously or for long periods?

We decided to ask the captains what they think, how they view the season?

We asked our questions and received their answers.  

They don't even want to voice negativity with their cautious perspectives.

When I conducted these interviews, I got a morale boost. I felt like going out to sea...

Especially when I caught up with Captains Yasemin and Çetin in the hidden coves of Gökova during my last interview.

They are accomplished musicians. In winter, they perform their art in Bodrum.

They cast off their lines every year before Bodrum summer homes start filling up. 

They make long, serious voyages. In winter they return to Bodrum.

Their anchor is always dropped in the quietest coves, at the most special beautiful spots. We always find them there.

Very good musicians turn into great view hunters in that provoking nature.

We asked where they were, they told us. But by the time we wrote it down, we forgot...

For supplies, another sailor-musician will come from Orhaniye and bring provisions if they find themselves in a difficult situation.

No lie, when the interviews were over, I was envious.

YASEMİN ALTINER-ÇETİN AKINCI

Thassos

“As a couple who have been living aboard for 11 years, I think these challenging quarantine and curfew days have been the days we are most grateful to be living on a boat.

The long voyages we've made, the supply lists we've created calculating the days we'll spend at sea without going ashore, and the proper

shopping methods we've developed ourselves, had unknowingly prepared us for such days. 

From the very beginning, we never panicked and took care not to buy more than we could consume or preserve (since we don't have a deep freezer and a standard home-type refrigerator anyway),

because we know that excess would go to waste. 

We also had an advantage: we could take our home with us wherever we went.

So we said, let's research, ask the authorities, and spend the curfew days at sea.

Our advice to those who want to be at sea during this period is to definitely learn about the application in the province you are in.

Right now, we are in one of the coves, away from the covid 19 threat, spending peaceful days with our provisions that will easily sustain us for 10-12 days. 

When we need to resupply, get water, fuel, or dispose of waste, we return to the marina, and once we complete that, we want to spend these days at sea

as long as conditions allow.

However, we would like to say that the weather is indeed cool at times during this season. Those considering going out to sea, please take your precautions. 

With our love to all sea lovers."

Let's leave Gökova and go to Antalya.

A true sea-loving family; Leyla and İsmail Sandan are among those who have lived at sea for a long time. Among those who have made very long voyages.

It wouldn't be a lie to say there's no cove they haven't visited, no place they haven't explored.

They are currently at their home. Since I know they can't do without the sea, I wanted to ask; What's the plan this year?

LEYLA-İSMAİL SANDAN

Smart Alec Boat

“We were born in a house by the sea and continue to live by and in the sea.

We've been by the seashore since our childhood. 

Since 2000, we've been in blue coves and harbors on sailing boats.

We've sailed in the Mediterranean, Marmara, Aegean and Adriatic. 

From Marseille to Mersin, from Trieste to Crete and Cyprus and all the Aegean islands were within our sailing routes.

The Sporades, Corinth and Ionian Sea islands, the Cyclades from Cape Matapan took us 15 years to complete.

In our opinion; a sailor must experience the places they visit. 

We preferred not to see an island, a port in just a day or two. 

Participating in weddings in their villages, drinking coffee and chatting in their homes, in their gardens  is to discover the social culture of that region.

We live on our boat for 4-5 months after leaving the marina.  Previously, we used to stay from the beginning of May until the end of October.

We now have to return to Antalya for grandchildren and some health checkups. In recent years, we have had to reduce our time at sea.

My wife and I enjoy night sailing. 

On our returns from Corfu, Cyprus and Crete, we have made 27-36 hour passages due to weather conditions. 

My wife prepares meals and does the cleaning during passages, we read books, and when we anchor or moor, we start exploring the area.

We buy books about the region we're going to visit and make travel plans.

In neighboring seas, Hvar and Korcula in the Adriatic, Corfu and Paxoi in the Ionian, the picturesque Hora on the hilltop in Alonnisos Island that was later restored and opened to tourism

(Chora), a place that impresses with its streets and village houses. Hydra island in the Saronic Gulf where motor vehicles are prohibited  and Crete. 

I would also like to emphasize this; All the beauties in the Aegean and Mediterranean are hidden in the coves on our coasts.

Since we are currently over 65 years old, we have been moored at our homes for 5 weeks.  I was doing the seasonal maintenance of the boat during this season.

I am a bit stressed now. 

We spend time participating in maritime groups' shares and video conferences. We transfer our experiences and knowledge to each other in our groups.

If we get through this healthily, we are making plans to go back to sea.

In previous years, we used to spend 2.5 - 3 months in the Greek Islands. 

However, the reflection of the friction between us and our neighbor regarding the islands and borders on the unpleasant behavior of the officials at the sea gates, and last year in May

with the Tepai tax they implemented on boats, the islands lost their appeal for me.

We will cruise along our own coasts.”

This is what mariners' İsmail Reis and Leyla Abla say.

Let's set sail from Antalya to Istanbul.

Arzu and Adnan  are true sea enthusiasts. They spend very long periods at sea. Marmaris, Yeşilova Bay, Hisarönü Bay, Ayvalık...

They are among those who raised their small children on tiny boats.

When we occasionally met them in coves, we admired their passion for the sea and their desire to raise their children in such an environment.

Adnan is an Istanbul State Theater Artist, a good actor and a figure preferred by series producers.

Given this situation, circumstances force them to shoot.

This year they were saying let's transfer our boat to Istanbul and live there for a while too.

Both work and sea.

But circumstances told them "one moment Captain".

ARZU-ADNAN BİRİCİK

Biricik Boat

“In the seas of my passion

In the palms of the storm

My Arzu wanders on deck

That deck is my children

That boat is my hopes

That sail is my simplicity

In the seas of my passion

My freedom smells of seaweed

My eyes get salty

Clouds age

With a wild sea

My wavy lines surge

Foaming towards freedom

(Poem; Adnan Biricik)

This is how my heart foams with longing for the sea in the suffocating days of quarantine.

These days are times when we amateur sailors are restless inside. 

We fall into a rush, a list of deficiencies and tasks to be done is written, the euro-loving craftsmen at the marina are inquired about. 

Our eyes are on the calendar, vacation days, children's school end dates are calculated, routes start to be drawn, vaccinations, shlas, lars, ar, rrrrrr....

Then silence, what will we do this year?

Of course health first, but what about the sea, the longing, the fish, the wind?

I am one of a handful of amateur sailors who never get support in our country surrounded by sea on three sides. 

I am someone who spends an average of three months of the year at sea, trying to continue this for fourteen years. 

We tour the beautiful bays of the Aegean with my family, sometimes in the Greek islands. 

Sometimes our boat turns into a summer house in a bay because of the children getting bored on the boat.

Thanks to my wife, she handles everything from our bread to our canned meat. 

When we get our share of sun and our batteries are charged, all the trouble comes down to fresh water supply.

In that case too, the captain of the boat suddenly becomes the water carrier of the household, carrying water and carrying...

Love of the sea is a way of life. 

My daughter's name is even Deniz, one son is Derin, the other is Doruk. 

Arzu is already the mast of my boat. 

These days we are patiently waiting for the season between four walls. 

I hope our longing doesn't last long...

By the way, since we're used to living in tight spaces, we endure houses more easily!

To storm-free days....”

Our destination is İzmir. 

Semra-Hakkı ALGIN live in İzmir. Captain Hakkı is a retired commando officer. A family that has discovered the sea. They live the sea very intensely in harmony. 

You may see their boat in Gökova, in Göcek, or on an Aegean Island at frequent intervals.

They always live the seas with friends and relatives. 

They always execute the plans they make.

So what will this passionate family do, what are they thinking?

SEMRA-HAKKI ALGIN

Nerissam Vessel
“We bought our boat Nerissam in May 2008, a 393 Oceanis. 

We have been at sea since that year. 

We live in İzmir. 

Every year from May to September, we are on the boat continuously for at least 4-5 months. 

This has literally become a lifestyle for us for 12 years. 

When October comes, we haul our daughter out at a marina in Marmaris, and launch her in May. 

My spouse also loves the sea very much. We became a good duo. The children also come whenever they get the opportunity.

   
In the past 12 years, 67 Greek islands including Crete, Corfu, Kefalonia, etc., and the mainland, as well as Cyprus, have been the places we visited. 

We have visited some islands several times. 

There are 4-5 islands left that we couldn't visit, being able to go to them is our goal in the coming years. 

My greatest pleasure in winter months is making detailed plans for that summer. 

Routes, places to go, duration of stays, places to visit, anchorages, mooring docks, examining their photographs from Google Earth, even

wind analyses for the dates to be visited.

Planning these and implementing them in summer gave us great happiness. 

The changing conditions in the last one or two years have started to deprive us of these plans. The increase in Euro, berthing fees can be counted as negative factors.

   
In recent years, we have been cruising mainly in Hisarönü Gulf. We also visit Gökova and Göcek. 

While cruising, we make an effort to have fellow boats with us. 

Neighboring boat visits and conversations are our indispensables. I had started preparations this year when hauling out in October. 

I replaced my faulty tridata, had the engine serviced. 

I visited the Toronto boat show in Canada where I went to see the children, and bought an apparatus from there to convert one of the winches to electric.

When I returned to our country, this Corona issue came up. 

Our launch date is May 15. 

I need to go to the Marina in the first week of May and start launch preparations. 

There will probably be a slight delay. We are willing to accept a one-month delay. 

Longer than that will upset us, creating the dilemma of whether to launch or go to the summer house. 

We missed the sea and our daughter Nerissam, but most of all we missed our sailor friends.

Yes, that's what captains say.  

Let's see what the days will bring, what we will see?

When will our return to those free days be, we will live and see...